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Topic: New harness (Read 2388 times)

I have been climbing 5 yrs with my first harness and it is now time to change... I do indoor, outdoor, lead, trad, alpine and ice so pretty much everything with it. I just don't know what is the best out there and would like recommendations... I was first looking at Arcteryx but not sure which one and then I saw the BD flight and then the metolius trad harness...

Can you share your favorites top notch choices to help me further decide ?

Wild Country Elite Synchro-- I am on my second (wore out the first one over a period of 4-5 years of year round climbing & guiding) ; particularly like the waist buckles on both sides --I can center the belay loop easily whether wearing winter or summer clothing; also it has 7 gear loops which helps in managing guide specific gear, as well as a complete trad rack; finally it's very comfortable, both climbing and on hanging belays.

I have been wearing the older version of the Black Diamond aspect harness for...three years now? Anyway. I love it. It's very comfortable and has a nicely padded belt. With my waist the belay loop is centered. It only has one waist buckle and it's "Speed Adjust" so you don't have to double back. The leg loops are adjustable with the same buckle type too. It has built in ice clipper slots (2 each side) so I can just pop them in during ice season and I'm good-to-go. It also has a haul loop. I've noticed that some harnesses are not coming with a haul loop lately; I would miss it. I'm sorry to be talking about a harness that you potentially can't find. I did see it a few months ago on sale so you may still be able to locate it. The "new" aspect would be just about the same I would think. It just has their newer style of construction.

Synchro Elite no longer available on Wild Country's website. It's replacement seems to be the Summit. Haven't have one in hand yet but looks to be a relatively substantial change in design. That said would have to have one in hand to see if it were cosmetic or substantial.

I have just gotten a new Synchro Elite to replace one that had a manufacturing defect so some are still available. BTW kudos to Rock & Snow in New Paltz (thanks Andrew), the distributor Excalibur out of Colorado (thanks Lisa), and Wild Country for great and responsive customer service and focus in dealing with the issue with the harness.

I love the Syncro. Light and comfortable even at the end of very long days of climbing. I don't rack on the harness and don't ice climb so can't appropriately respond to the OP. Regarding sizing, I have a 32" inch waist (33 to 34 in the holiday season!!!) and the medium Syncro is too big. I have climbed with a medium and can't get it appropriately tight over the hips. So 32" waist or smaller, go with the small, bigger go with the medium. The gear hoops ride just a bit further back on my torso than my old BD Blizzard but I adapted to it pretty quickly. Going in I thought seven gear loops were a bit much but I have found ways to utilize them for enhanced organization.

I have been climbing 5 yrs with my first harness and it is now time to change... I do indoor, outdoor, lead, trad, alpine and ice so pretty much everything with it. I just don't know what is the best out there and would like recommendations... I was first looking at Arcteryx but not sure which one and then I saw the BD flight and then the metolius trad harness...

Can you share your favorites top notch choices to help me further decide ?

Thanks to all.

Misty Mountain Caddillac - most comfortable harness, and comes with two rows of gear loops. When you order it you might want to ask them to use elastic on the rear leg connections

I have waited so much that I am now looking into an Ice harness... Looked at the ArcTeryx I340A but the construction looks average. I than fell in love with the BD xenos but the red one new style on Black diamond site... Just unable to find it anywhere, it seems like they are all trying to get rid of the old whites before they push the new one...

I want it now !!! I need some ice !!! My screws are screaming at me at night...